College Football Predictions & Best Bets for Week 3

Now that is more like it. I swept the board on my two plays for Week 2 of the NCAA schedule, putting my bankroll up into a nice spot early in the season. But, as usual, I want more. For my college football predictions and best bets for Week 3, we’re off to Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Let’s hit the gridiron!

College Football Predictions & Best Bets for Week 3

#5 Miami Hurricanes vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Start Time: 7:30 PM EST (Friday)

I’ve zeroed in on a couple of Friday games for my best bets this week, so get those bets in early. We start with some ACC action in North Carolina, with the 2-0 (1-0 ACC), #5-ranked Miami Hurricanes visiting the 2-0 (0-0) Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Winston-Salem. After a couple of 4-8 years, the Demon Deacons had a bounce-back season last year, going 9-4 and winning the (prestigious?!) Duke’s Mayo Bowl in coach Jake Dickert’s first year in charge. However, they are projected to only win 5.5 games this year.

But kicking off the season with a couple of wins is a good start to hitting the over on that 5.5-win projection. However, Wake Forest will have their toughest test of the year this weekend against the Hurricanes. Miami’s win total over/under is set at 10.5, after going 13-3 last season and losing the College Football Playoff National Championship game to Indiana.

I’ve had good results going with the underdogs, especially at home, on big spreads, and I’m going with that play in this matchup. My line is Miami -11.5, making the Demon Deacons a live home dog on the spread.

Best Bet: Wake Forest +21.5 (-115)

#22 Houston Cougars vs #13 Texas Tech Red Raiders

Start Time: 8:00 PM EST (Friday)

The other Friday night game I’m in on should be a more competitive matchup, with Big 12 rivals the #22-ranked Houston Cougars (2-0, 0-0) visiting the #13-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0, 0-0). Similar to Wake Forest, the Cougars had a resurgent season last year after going 4-8 in the previous two, winning the Texas Bowl on the way to a 10-3 record, their most wins since 2021. However, the bookies expect them to take a slight step back this season, projecting them at 8.5 wins.

On the other side of the ball, the Red Raiders are expected to continue to be a top team this year, after going 12-2 last season and losing in the Orange Bowl (CFP quarterfinals), their best season since 2008. Ten and a half wins is the bar for Texas Tech this season.

And I expect the home side to take another step closer to going over that win projection this weekend against the visiting Cougars. After crunching the data, I have Texas Tech as an 11-point favorite at home, so I like the Red Raiders on the spread in Week 3.

Best Bet: Texas Tech -7.5 (-105)

2025/6 College Football Overall Record: 3-1 (75%)
Profit (based on $100/bet): $175.24
Return on Investment: 44%